O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches… Not only green in summer’s heat, but also in winter’s snow and sleet… Absolutely one of my favorite holiday songs, so simple. I am so grateful that you…
The Elegant Versatility of Evergreens
I often tell gardeners in our region to rediscover their “Evergreen State”, which (in a play on words) simply means to show some gardening style with the structure, texture and color of conifers. Around here nature has the many shades of green covered, but how about some bold blues and bright yellows? When all of the deciduous shrubs and trees have…
Christmas Trees - Real or Fake?
As gardeners, the concept of “going natural” is nothing new. Whatever our reasons, whenever practical we tend to shy away from synthetics and instead choose products that are natural. In the case of Christmas trees, we have the same choices - one is buying an artificial tree, and the other is buying a real tree. Here are some things to consider before making up your mind…



It is February and one of my favorite holidays is upon us… Valentine’s Day, the time to pause and show both appreciation and love to all. I personally will admit to having minimal psychological prowess on this topic, but I certainly try my best each and every year, as I am sure all of you do as well. Chocolates, cuddly stuffed animals, a fancy dinner, a nice movie, a spa day and of course anything that…